HOUSTON -
University of Houston centerfielder Mark McGonigle went 2-for-4, but it would not be quite enough as the Cougars dropped a 3-1 decision to No. 7 Texas on Friday during the first day of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

The two teams combined for four runs off five hits through the first two innings and then posted no runs and only five hits through the remaining seven frames as both starting pitchers settled down.

UH starter Matt Farrington collected the loss and dropped to 0-1 after giving up three runs off four hits with two strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work. UT starter Adrian Alaniz picked up the win to improve to 1-0 after holding the Cougars to one unearned run off five hits with five strikeouts in seven innings.

The Cougars took advantage of a hit and UT error in the first inning for the game's first run. Isa Garcia started the rally with a one-out single to right and moved up a base following Brad Lincoln's single through the left side of the infield. After a pitch bounced in front of UT catcher Preston Clark, Lincoln moved up to second base.

When Clark's throw to third base in an attempt to catch Garcia went awry and rolled down the left field line, Garcia strolled home for the Cougars' first run.

UT answered in its next at-bat with three runs, thanks to Chais Fuller's RBI-single, a wild pitch and an RBI-groundout by Jordan Danks. That would cap the scoring for the rest of the night.

The Cougars continue their stay at the tournament when they meet No. 21 TCU at 3:30 p.m., Saturday. Sophomore righthander Aaron Brown is slated to make his first start of the season after giving up a run off a hit and a walk in 0.2 innings of relief against Texas-San Antonio during the season opener for both teams Tuesday at Cougar Field.

TCU is slated to throw junior righthander Jake Arrietta, who will be making his 2006 debut with the Horned Frogs.

The game can be heard live on www.UHCougars.com with former letterwinners Nick Torina and Pat Cauley calling all the action. Fans also can follow live stats by clicking on the "Gametracker" link at www.UHCougars.com.